CULVER CITY, CA (June 5, 2012)— Suzanne Patmore Gibbs has been named executive vice president, drama development, U.S. programming and production for Sony Pictures Television (SPT), it was announced today by Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, presidents, programming and production, SPT.

In this role, Patmore Gibbs will head the studio’s efforts in the development of scripted drama programming in the U.S. and will work with writers and producers on projects for both broadcast and cable. Additionally, she will oversee international co-productions targeted for the U.S. market.

“Suzanne has incredible relationships with writers and producers alike,” Van Amburg said. “She has earned the respect of the creative community and has successfully navigated the line between commercial success and a project’s individual integrity. We are lucky to have her join us and look forward to our collaboration,” added Erlicht.

Formerly, Suzanne Patmore Gibbs served as executive vice president, scripted programming for ABC Entertainment Group, where she led the entire primetime scripted creative group, overseeing the management of drama and comedy development, current programming and made for television movies and miniseries. Prior to that, Patmore Gibbs served as head of drama development at ABC Network, beginning as senior vice president in 2004 and ascending to executive vice president of drama development in 2007. During her tenure at ABC, Patmore Gibbs most recently cultivated the popular dramas “Revenge,” “Once Upon a Time” and “Scandal,” as well as the comedy “Suburgatory.” Earlier, she spearheaded the development of provocative, game changing one hour shows such as the Golden Globe winning comedies “Desperate Housewives” and “Ugly Betty,” the Golden Globe winning medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” and the Emmy winning drama “Lost,” as well as successful, long-running dramas such as “Private Practice,” “Castle” and “Brothers and Sisters,” among others. She also developed strong relationships with agencies, studios, writers, directors and producers.

Prior to her work at ABC, Patmore Gibbs served as senior vice president at Touchstone Television, running its drama department from 2000-2004. Previous to Touchstone, Patmore Gibbs was a senior executive at Mutual Film, a Paramount Studios-based production entity founded by Mark Gordon. She also served as an adjunct professor of screenwriting at USC’s film school from 1999-2002 and senior vice president of development at Bedford Falls.

8 Comments

I’m so glad to officially read this news. Suzanne is one of the most dedicated, hands on execs I know. Well done Suzanne and SONY.

captainlashout • on Jun 5, 2012 9:40 am

Great hire Sony!

MN • on Jun 5, 2012 9:40 am

Huge Suzanne fan. So happy for her and for all the creatives who get to work with her.

uninterested party • on Jun 5, 2012 9:40 am

Having seen their pilots this year, I’d say Suzanne is sorely missed at ABC. Good for Sony, though. She’s among the best.

Anonymous • on Jun 5, 2012 9:40 am

You’re on crack. Suzanne’s a nice gal, and probably better suited to studio than network; but ABC’s pilots this year were their best since the Susan Lyne/Lloyd Braun Lost/Grey’s/Desperate season of development.

OLD PRODUCER • on Jun 5, 2012 9:40 am

Could Paul Lee and ABC have less intelligence and foresight? Really, she developed the only successful shows they have had in the last ten years and they didn’t need her? Can you say David Putnam? He will be gone, they will be in the toilet and she will kill at Sony.

Fan • on Jun 5, 2012 9:40 am

Great hire for Sony. Big loss for ABC — what were they thinking??

Fan • on Jun 5, 2012 9:40 am

All under Suzanne and she had to push Lee hard to do some of their best shows and he didn’t llike that — his loss.